Here’s a short, practical guide to making life‑insurance claims in Sri Lanka — how to make them easy, what documents to have ready, who is known for faster digital handling, and how to escalate if there’s a delay.

1. Quick overview — what makes a claim “easy”

• The claim is easiest when the policyholder kept the original policy document, named and kept nominee details up to date, and you can produce the required official documents (death certificate / medical records / police report where relevant) promptly. (iciciprulife.com)

2. Typical documents you’ll be asked for (prepare copies + originals if requested)

• Original policy bond / policy number.
• Death certificate issued by the registrar (or hospital death certificate).
• Claimant/nominee ID and address proof (NIC, passport, etc.).
• Bank account details (cancelled cheque / passbook copy) for CEFT/electronic payment.
• Claimant statement / claim forms (insurer will provide).
• Medical records, hospital discharge summary, treating doctor’s statement (for natural deaths); police FIR, post‑mortem/autopsy reports and inquest documents (for accidental/unnatural deaths).
• If nominee is not the direct beneficiary or estate issues exist: probate / letters of administration or legal heir affidavits.
  (Insurers’ claim pages list similar items; see examples). (iciciprulife.com)

3. Step‑by‑step: how to proceed (death claim)

• Notify the insurer right away (phone / WhatsApp / claim portal) and mention policy number and nominee name.
• Ask the insurer for the exact claim checklist and claim forms (they must tell you what’s missing). Save the claim reference number.
• Collect the documents above; get certified copies if asked. Keep originals available in case the insurer requests them.
• Submit documents via the insurer’s preferred channel (many now accept online portals, apps or WhatsApp). Take screenshots/receipts of submission. (srilankainsurance.lk)

4. Timelines and expectations

• Many insurers advertise fast processing once they have all required documents; industry practice is to decide/settle straightforward claims quickly (some Sri Lankan insurers publicly advertise 48 hours–a few days for simple claims). Complex cases requiring investigations naturally take longer. Expect insurers to ask for clarifications within the first couple of weeks. (Times vary by insurer and case.) (softlogiclife.lk)

5. Insurers known for digital/fast claim handling (examples)

• Softlogic Life: has promoted rapid, app/AI‑assisted claim processing and fast electronic payouts. (softlogiclife.lk)
• Sri Lanka Insurance (SLIC) and Ceylinco Life are among the large players noted for high volumes of payouts and broad branch/digital networks — large companies often have established claims infrastructure. (Performance may change over time; always check the insurer’s current claims reputation before buying.) (dailynews.lk)

6. Practical tips to make settlement smoother and faster

• Keep the original policy and a scanned copy in a secure place; note the policy number, sum assured and nominee details.
• Update nominee details whenever family circumstances change.
• Notify the insurer quickly after the event and respond quickly to any insurer requests.
• Provide clear, legible documents; photos/scans should be complete (no missing edges).
• Provide a bank account in the nominee’s name for electronic transfer (CEFT/electronic payments speed things up).
• If the nominee lives abroad, ask the insurer early about required notarisation/attestation and local embassy documents. (iciciprulife.com)

7. If the insurer delays or rejects the claim

• First use the insurer’s complaint channel (every insurer has a complaints procedure and a designated officer). If unsatisfied:
  • Contact the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) — regulator contact/address available on its site. (gic.gov.lk)
  • Contact the Insurance Ombudsman / Sri Lanka Insurance Ombudsman Ltd. for dispute resolution (they assist policyholders with unresolved disputes). (insuranceombudsman.lk)

8. Final notes

• “Easy” claims depend more on documentation and nomination status than on brand alone — a small company can pay quickly if paperwork is clean, while even a large company will investigate unclear cases. Softcopy filing, up‑to‑date nominee details, and an electronic payout mandate are the three fastest ways to reduce friction. (softlogiclife.lk)

If you want, I can:

• draft a short claim‑intimation email/letter you can send to an insurer, or
• look up the specific claim submission page or complaint contact for a particular Sri Lankan insurer (name the insurer and I’ll pull the exact claim form/contact link).